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To: F. Lynn who wrote (3498)	9/11/1999 2:10:00 PM
From: BDR	Respond to of 10293

Thanks. I found a link for the meta-analysis article referenced in the article you cited: Jackson JL , Peterson C , Lesho E . Meta-analysis of zinc salts lozenges and the common cold . Archives of Internal Medicine November 10, 1997 ama-assn.org "Conclusion: Despite numerous randomized trials, the evidence for effectiveness of zinc salts lozenges in reducing the duration of common colds is still lacking."

To: F. Lynn who wrote (3498)	9/11/1999 2:20:00 PM
From: DanZ	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10293

F. Lynn, Thanks for posting the interesting article on zinc as a cold treatment. One minor clarification: The author, Atul Gawande, M.D, said: The zinc trials did not, for example, mask zinc's bitter, medicine-like flavor. Zinc may work primarily because its distinctive taste helps convince you that it will. The operative word is "may" so I have to disagree with your statement "He concludes any efficacy is due largely to a placebo effect" I presume that you posted the article with Zicam in mind. Since Zicam is administered in the nose and has no aftertaste or side effects, I would be interested in how you think the placebo effect could affect its study results. I agree that Quigley's study results could have been affected by the placebo effect if they didn't mask the taste of zinc in the real lozenges or make the placebos taste like the real ones. The following quotes from the article are interesting: Some scientists question whether it is even biologically plausible that zinc could cure colds. Zinc backers propose that the element's positive charge could a) bind it to viruses, blocking their entry into the cells along your nasal tract or b) allow it to "clamp" nerves that stimulate congestion. However, University of Virginia researcher Jack Gwaltney pointed out that zinc in the saliva does not reach the nasal tract, and therefore cannot exert any of these effects. This statement provides two reasons why zinc might be effective against the common cold. The reason that some researchers doubted its efficacy is that a sufficient concentration of zinc might not have reached the nasal tract. It doesn't appear from Dr. Gawande's article that anyone disputes whether zinc ions might bind to the cold virus and prevent their entry into the body. Other research that I have read on the Internet indicates that zinc ions might bind to cold viruses and block their entry into the body. I posted a list of links on this thread about a month ago. Zicam doesn't use saliva as a delivery system to the nasal tract and this could explain why it has been found to be effective. Zinc lozenges use the blood stream to reach the site of infection and the absorption rate could vary dramatically by individual. This could explain the erratic results of zinc lozenges. Thanks, Dan

To: F. Lynn who wrote (3498)	9/12/1999 6:53:00 AM
From: JDN	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10293

Dear F. Lynn: I dont care what any study says. I have used Zinc several times in the past couple of years for the common cold and it works, and it works fast at least on the symptoms. My tablets dont taste bitter, they are fruity (tablets, not me--haha). I only say this for the benefit of others on this thread who may have a cold. I am not pushing GUMM as indeed I dont even yet own the stock, but when something works, and its cheap people ought to know. No Drug company is going to support this info as there is nothing in it for them. JDN